Anze Lopatic - 2026

About the luthier

Anže Lopatič, born in Ljubljana in 1998, came to instrument making through wood rather than through an inherited lutherie tradition. From an early stage he worked on smaller wooden objects, and this practical familiarity with the material gradually developed into a more focused interest in structure, behaviour, and craftsmanship. He later studied Wood Engineering at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, where he deepened his understanding of wood properties, construction logic, and acoustic performance.

A decisive musical influence came through his sister, the professional guitarist Neža Lopatič, whose work brought the classical guitar into close personal reach. In 2021 he built his first classical guitar, and since then the instrument has become the centre of his workshop activity. His background gives his work a particular character. Rather than approaching the guitar only through inherited models, he brings an engineering based way of thinking to questions of resonance, material choice, and structural efficiency.

Although still in an early phase of his career, Lopatič already shows a clear interest in connecting scientific understanding with practical making. His guitars reflect an effort to work consciously with the acoustic potential of the material, while keeping the result musically direct and usable for the player. That balance between technical awareness and straightforward musical purpose is one of the defining aspects of his work so far.

About the guitar

This 2026 spruce and Indian rosewood guitar is built along traditional lines, yet its character is defined less by dryness or restraint than by a notable sense of carry in the tone. The notes hold on and continue, with a sustain that is immediately apparent and gives the instrument a certain breadth in the way sound unfolds. Rather than producing a sharply percussive response, the guitar lets the tone travel forward and remain present.

That sustaining quality is supported by a strong tonal core. The sound has weight, but not heaviness in the negative sense. There is substance in the note, a feeling that each tone is firmly formed and pushed outward with continuity. At the same time, the guitar is not dark. Its colour tends toward brightness, which keeps the sound open and gives definition to the upper register. This combination of tonal mass and brightness is one of the most characteristic aspects of the instrument.

The response is therefore not built around maximum speed, but around stability and length. For some players that will be exactly the attraction. The guitar does not rush the note out, but gives it time to settle and develop. In return, it offers a sustained line, clear colour, and a traditional voice with enough presence to fill the space convincingly. There is also a pleasing sense of ease in the handling of the instrument, which contributes to the overall impression of steadiness and control.

Lopatič’s guitar stands out through this combination of bright clarity, long decay, and tonal substance. It is a traditional instrument, but one that speaks with confidence and patience, favouring continuity over sheer attack. For players looking for a sound with carrying power, colour, and a more grounded temporal shape, it offers a convincing and musically well judged response.